text:
Party like it's 1989!
Today is the release day for the VERY LAST book in the Love in the 80s series: ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY (Who has the song earwormed in their brain now? You're welcome.)
"What sort of name is
Johnny Slade?" My dorm mate, Amy, is laying with her face buried in her
pillow, crying so much I'm fairly sure the mascara stains will never wash out.
Glad it's hers and not mine. Last time this happened, I was pillowless for a
week. Not my favorite time of life.
"Then again, I guess he didn't have much say in what his
name was." It is as compassionate as I can get. I'm trying to study. Trying
being the operative word. I love Amy. I do. We've been dorm mates since freshman
year, and we've had our share of ups and downs. She can be a little needy, and
I'm not the coddling type.
As much as I love living with her, sometimes I'd like to be
alone. This is one of those times. I have a massive chem test tomorrow that I'd
like not to fail. I know I shouldn't be mad at Amy, though. It isn't her fault
the dude she dated Saturday night dined her, wooed her, sexed her, and left
For the past three days, she's been stuck by the phone,
waiting for it to ring, praying it is Johnny Slade, a man I've never met, but I'm
fairly sure—according to Amy's description—has horns.
I wish I could help her. I take that back, I wish she'd help
herself by moving on with her life. Seeing as that's not happening anytime
soon, I consider spilling the beans about my little…side business.
It's for girls just like Amy: girls who have been used,
abused, mistreated, or downright screwed over by the men in their life.
Some people might argue that I'm taking advantage of these
poor souls in their state of weakness. I say, if they want to pay me, who am I
to be their moral compass? I have bills to pay, and the revenge industry pays a
hell of a lot more than stripping. And, dare I say it, more fun.
Amy sits up, rivers of black cake on her red cheeks that
would make Frank N Furter green with envy. She sniffs a few times and takes a
deep breath, "Do you think he lost my number, Nancy?"
Oh my God.
If I had a dollar for every client who called Once Bitten
asking the same thing… I wouldn't need to go to college. I could retire on a
beach with a drink and a cabana boy making my every dream come true.
I start to say this to Amy, but I can't. She's my friend and
I don't want to hurt her. Yes, I want her to move on; getting lectured from me
isn't the way to go. "I don't know, Amy. Maybe?"
"You really think so?" Hope. I don't like hope. Hope kills
more than guns, in my opinion.
I smile and pray it doesn't come off plastic. "It's
Amy sits up on her knees straighter, a huge grin reaches
from ear to ear.
I wait for it…
I think Bon Jovi sang it best with "Shot Through the Heart."
It's like a jolt of understanding hits her right in the guts
all at once. Her smile contorts into a Ronald McDonald grimace and, with a sob
I'm sure they hear two floors above us, Amy falls face first into her pillow.
I shouldn't say what is running through my mind. It is tacky
and impolite. Truthfully, it does no good now. The deed, as they say, is done.
Can't put the horse back in the barn—as my Grandma Molly said with a warning
glare every time she decided to have the "sex" talk with me.
Amy beats me to it. "How could I be so stupid to lose my
virginity to him?"
More sobs.
I throw her a tissue box 'cause I'm nice like that.
"I don't know, Amy. How could you be so stupid to lose your
virginity to him?" Tactful? No. But damn, it is a question I've wanted answered
since she strolled in here Sunday night with her hair teased and distressed
more than normal, her tights ripped, and her shirt pulled way, way off the
shoulder even for her. I don't think he was easy on her.
Amy shakes her head in the pillow. "Dnwo loo lear bet wiered
a feing a foudee-foudee…"
Muffled pillow talk isn't my major. "Sorry, didn't catch
She lifts her head and glares at me with through squinty,
tear filled eyes. "Don't you ever get tired of being a goody-goody, Nancy? We're
seniors in college. Don't you ever want to throw the virginity card out the
window and have some fun once in a while?"
I don't mean to laugh. I can't stop myself. I'm a horrible
person. "Yeah, 'cause you look like you've been having fun the last three days."
Honestly, if that's what it feels like to get close to
someone, to let them get close to me, then no. I'd rather stay where I am in
life and do what I do to make ends meet, thank you very much. I get close. I
take pictures. I turn to blackmail. I get paid for it. What is wrong with that?
"That's not what I mean."
"I go out." I sigh, this chemistry test won't study itself.
"You go to the library and study. That isn't going out."
If she only knew. Most of those "study" trips were dates
with the exes of clients. Revenge is different for everyone. I aim to please.
Amy dries up her tears mighty quickly and looks at me like
she pities me. Oh for the love of…
"I feel sorry for you. I really do."
Funny how coherent she sounds now. "That a fact?"
"It is. You have no life. No prospects of a boyfriend, and
yeah, maybe Johnny Slade did break my heart, but at least I put my heart out
there. What have you done?"
Gotten paid to serve
up revenge. "Nothing as worthwhile as you." I grab my book and my bag.
There is no way I'm getting any studying done here tonight.
"Where are you going?"
"Fine," she huffs.
"Fine." I head for the door when our phone rings.
She looks at me.
I look at her.
I know what she's thinking. She's wishing for Johnny Slade.
I know what I'm thinking… I hope it isn't a client. So far I've
been lucky. She's never answered a call for me, but I know the time is coming.
I need to be honest with her, but now isn't that time.
She reaches for the phone. I throw my stuff down and dive
for it.
It fumbles out of her hands and into mine. "Hello?" I say
before she can grab it from my hand.
"Is it Johnny?" she whispers.
I motion for her to be quiet.
"Once Bitten?" the female voice on the other end of the line
Amy's big, black stained eyes plead with me to tell me who
it is. I'm pleading with her to let it go.
"Hi, Dad. It's good to hear your
voice." I say, causing Amy to run from the room in an outburst of epic
"Excuse me?" The young woman on the other side of the line doesn't
seem to catch on very quickly.
"Never mind. Please talk quickly. How did you get this
"Friend of a friend."
Just like they all do. "What can I help you with?"
"My name is Dana Knox."
I nearly drop the phone. I know her! Holy cow! Dana Knox has
been all over People Magazine and Teen Beat for the last six months or so for dating
Senator Harris' son: Beautiful Socialite
Tames Wild Political Heir Romeo. "Chad
Harris needs to pay."
Available on
Kelly Martin loves paranormal books, villainous characters, and the dark... but she can't sleep without a nightlight. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When Kelly's not writing, she loves taking picture of abandoned houses, watching horror gamers on YouTube-- even though she's a huge wimp-- and drinking decaf white chocolate mochas. She's a total fangirl, loves the 80s and 90s, and has a sad addiction to Netflix.
If you ever have a question or comment, feel free to email her at firstname.lastname@example.com ♥ You can follow her writing adventure at http://www.kellymartinbooks.com/


text:
Want to know about the latest from Community Insight team?
Sign up here for a round up of project updates, case-studies and the latest news on community housing and mapping.
Just pop your email address in the space provided below.
Changed your mind? Remember you can unsubscribe at any time following the links on the emails we will send you.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
First steps in Astrology
An Introduction not only for kids, by Liz Greene
Have you ever looked up at a clear night sky, felt the magic of so many twinkling bright stars, and wondered whether there is any special meaning in the patterns they make? People throughout history have looked up at the night sky and felt that it contained a fascinating mystery. Long before man invented telescopes, or understood what the stars really are, he thought they were important to him in some way. He felt the stars were magical and so beautiful that they must have some special message.
Man's curiosity about the stars was the beginning of the science of astrology. Archaeologists have found records of the study of astrology in the ruins of almost every ancient civilisation, from Greece to Babylon, from China to Rome. It is the oldest science in the world.
Astrologers observed that most stars seemed to move round the sky together. But they also noticed that a few bright stars in the sky moved quite independently of the rest. They called these moving stars "wanderers". Today we call them planets. Our own Earth is a planet, and each planet moves in a circle, called an orbit, round the Sun, which is a true star. The Sun and its family of planets make up our Solar System.
The astrologers identified five "wanderers", and these planets are still known by their ancient names: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These are the names of gods, which is what the ancient astrologers believed the planets to be. Three more planets have been discovered during the last two hundred years, to which modern astronomers have given the names of other ancient gods: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Some astronomers believe there is another planet in the Solar System still to be discovered.
Apart from the stars and planets, astrologers also observed that the Moon moved across the sky. We have known for a long time now that this is because the Moon moves round the Earth in an orbit of its own. The Sun, too, seemed to move, rising in the east and setting in the west. In this case we know it is the Earth which really moves, making one complete turn in space, or revolution, every twenty-four hours. When a part of the Earth is facing the Sun it is day. When that same part is facing away from the Sun, it is night.
Here are the symbols which astrologers use for the Sun, Moon, and each of the planets:
The astrologers wrote down all they knew about the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets. Today we continue this study with big telescopes, which is the science of astronomy. Astrology was the real mother of modern astronomy.
Today, we distinguish between astronomy and astrology. While astronomers are interested in finding out scientific facts about the Solar System, modern astrologers continue to study the connection between the movements of the planets and people's lives. The ancient astrologers thought that the planets were gods who ruled people's lives. Modern astrologers no longer believe this, but they do still believe that in some fascinating way there is a relationship between the Sun, the Moon, the planets and the lives of each one of us.
Looking at Astrology
This introduction into the basic ideas of astrology is taken from the children's book "Looking at Astrology" by Liz Greene. It was published by Coventure in 1977. Although once written for children, the text is very interesting for everyone who wants to take first steps in astrology.
Current Planets
7-Aug-2023, 08:54 UT/GMT | |||||
Sun | 14 | 37'17" | 16n27 | ||
Moon | 1 | 24'43" | 12n15 | ||
Mercury | 11 | 50' 5" | 6n02 | ||
Venus | 24 | 6'28"r | 7n04 | ||
Mars | 17 | 12'42" | 5n51 | ||
Jupiter | 14 | 18' 4" | 14n57 | ||
Saturn | 5 | 17'47"r | 11s12 | ||
Uranus | 22 | 52'44" | 18n11 | ||
Neptune | 27 | 19'32"r | 2s13 | ||
Pluto | 28 | 44'47"r | 23s03 | ||
TrueNode | 27 | 55'19" | 10n44 | ||
Chiron | 19 | 52' 8"r | 9n12 | ||
Explanations of the symbols | |||||
Chart of the moment |


text:
- Feature Links
- Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Statement
Your right to privacy is important to the City of Arroyo Grande. Therefore, the City does not collect personal identifying information from users of its website unless it is voluntarily supplied. In situations where personal or identifying information is collected (i.e. program and permit applications, email messages, voluntary mailing lists), this information will not be released unless required to do so by state or federal public records laws. With certain exceptions, e-mails and letters to City officials and departments are public documents under state law.
When you visit a City of Arroyo Grande website, non-personal data about your visit may be automatically collected. This may include information such as:
- IP address and domain name
- Operating system
- Type of browser
- Date, time and length of visit
- Web pages visited
- Referring web site
This site contains links to other sites. The City of Arroyo Grande is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of any linked sites.
Terms & Conditions
The purpose of our interactive modules is to obtain suggestions, ideas, and feedback to benefit our community. Please avoid personal attacks, slurs, and profanity in your interactions. Please make sure that your postings are relevant to the subject at hand. It is normal and expected for some topics to drift from the stated subject. However, to ensure maximum benefit for all of our users, we encourage you to keep your postings as close to the subject as possible. Impersonating a government employee or anther user is not allowed. Behavior or content related to illegal activities is prohibited. Do not post or promote any materials that could SPAM, harm, or disrupt another user's computer. You may not link to any sites that violate the terms and conditions above. The City reserves the right to ban any participant at any time that we feel does not comply with an appropriate code of conduct. Disclaimers: The sites are provided on an 'as is' basis without any warranties of any kind, express or implied. This site, to the fullest extent permitted by law, disclaims all warranties, including, but not limited to, the warranties of merchantability, title, non-infringement of third parties' rights, and fitness for particular purpose. This site makes no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the sites. Without limitation on the foregoing:
1. This site does not warrant that the sites will operate error-free or that the sites and their servers are free of computer viruses or other harmful mechanisms. If your use of the sites results directly or indirectly in the need for servicing or replacing equipment or data, this site is not responsible for those costs.
2. This site makes no representations or guarantees regarding the truthfulness, accuracy, legality, completeness, timeliness or reliability of any documents posted by users, or of any other form of communication engaged in by users. Documents may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. You agree that any reliance on documents posted by users, or on any other form of communication with users, will be at your own risk.
3. This site makes no representations or guarantees regarding the content of the sites, including, but not limited to, broken links, inaccuracies or typographical errors.
4. This site makes no representations or guarantees regarding the effectiveness of the services or timeliness of the services in meeting your employment objectives. This site does not guarantee that the services will result in candidates being hired, positions being filled or employees being retained, and is not responsible or liable for any business, employment, hiring and/or salary decisions, for whatever reason made, made by you.
User Authentication
Because user authentication on the Internet is difficult, this site cannot and does not confirm that each User is who they claim to be. Because this site does not and cannot be involved in User-to-User dealings or control the behavior of participants on the sites, in the event that you have a dispute with one or more Users, you release this site from claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential and direct and indirect) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes.
Changes to this privacy policy
The City of Arroyo Grande may revise and update this Privacy Policy at any time by posting such revised Privacy Policy at www.arroyogrande.org. Your continued usage of this site will mean you accept those changes.
Last Update
This Privacy Policy was last updated on November 29, 2018.
Contact Information
Questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy should be sent by email or by U.S. mail to:
City of Arroyo Grande
300 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Email the City of Arroyo Grande


text:
Port Scanning Basics
While Nmap has grown in functionality over the years,
it began as an efficient port scanner, and that remains its
core function. The simple command nmap
1,000 TCP ports on the host
. While many port scanners
have traditionally lumped all ports into the open or closed
states, Nmap is much more granular. It divides ports into
six states: open
, filtered
, or
These states are not intrinsic
properties of the port itself, but describe how Nmap sees them. For
example, an Nmap scan from the same network as the target may show
port 135/tcp
as open, while a scan at the same time with the same
options from across the Internet might show that port as filtered
- open
An application is actively accepting TCP connections, UDP datagrams or SCTP associations on this port. Finding these is often the primary goal of port scanning. Security-minded people know that each open port is an avenue for attack. Attackers and pen-testers want to exploit the open ports, while administrators try to close or protect them with firewalls without thwarting legitimate users. Open ports are also interesting for non-security scans because they show services available for use on the network.
- closed
A closed port is accessible (it receives and responds to Nmap probe packets), but there is no application listening on it. They can be helpful in showing that a host is up on an IP address (host discovery, or ping scanning), and as part of OS detection. Because closed ports are reachable, it may be worth scanning later in case some open up. Administrators may want to consider blocking such ports with a firewall. Then they would appear in the filtered state, discussed next.
- filtered
Nmap cannot determine whether the port is open because packet filtering prevents its probes from reaching the port. The filtering could be from a dedicated firewall device, router rules, or host-based firewall software. These ports frustrate attackers because they provide so little information. Sometimes they respond with ICMP error messages such as type 3 code 13 (destination unreachable: communication administratively prohibited), but filters that simply drop probes without responding are far more common. This forces Nmap to retry several times just in case the probe was dropped due to network congestion rather than filtering. This slows down the scan dramatically.
- unfiltered
The unfiltered state means that a port is accessible, but Nmap is unable to determine whether it is open or closed. Only the ACK scan, which is used to map firewall rulesets, classifies ports into this state. Scanning unfiltered ports with other scan types such as Window scan, SYN scan, or FIN scan, may help resolve whether the port is open.
- open|filtered
Nmap places ports in this state when it is unable to determine whether a port is open or filtered. This occurs for scan types in which open ports give no response. The lack of response could also mean that a packet filter dropped the probe or any response it elicited. So Nmap does not know for sure whether the port is open or being filtered. The UDP, IP protocol, FIN, NULL, and Xmas scans classify ports this way.
- closed|filtered
This state is used when Nmap is unable to determine whether a port is closed or filtered. It is only used for the IP ID idle scan.


text:
There are changes afoot that I hope will remedy this. In a week's time I am returning to New Zealand where I will take up the role of Curator of Rare Books and Fine Printing with the Alexander Turnbull Library as of 13 July.
Those who know me know I prefer to keep this blog professional rather than personal, so I will not go into the reasons why I feel a return to New Zealand will see a return of regular posts to Antipodean Footnotes. I do, however, feel I owed those who read and follow my blog an apology for being completely off my game lately. I very much appreciate your interest in what I have to write about books and book history, and do hope you will bear with me as I turn the page on a new chapter in my life and career.
Will write again once settled into my new position. Until then, sincere thanks for reading this, and take care!


text:
When the weather is right, the road from Port Renfrew to Sooke is one of the Island's most scenic, full of eclectic sights and beautiful vistas onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
It is also is poorly-lit, frequently bathed in grey rain or suffocating mist, and riddled with sharp corners, abrupt dips and sudden rises.
It's not a road you want to be travelling when it's a matter of life and death, particularly at night, and definitely not both ways.
But without proper staffing at the Port Renfrew B.C. Ambulance station that is exactly what can happen: paramedics from neighbouring stations in Sooke or Lake Cowichan are forced to make the hour-long drive, then stabilize and transport the stricken patient to the nearest hospital, 90 minutes away.
And staffing the Port Renfrew ambulance station is not easy, not when you have a permanent population of about 300 people to draw from and the amount of paid work the community can offer consists of maybe a couple calls a week.
It is a situation that is not unique to Port Renfrew. Rather, it is familiar to many of the small, remote communities scattered across Vancouver Island — places like Zeballos and Gold River. Even relatively larger communities like Tofino and Port Hardy suffer from attracting enough skilled paramedic support to meet community demand.
That is why their residents are excited for a groundbreaking new program called community paramedicine.
"I'm really hopeful it will help not only the current paramedics, but also the people in the community," Port Hardy health advocate Pat Corbett-Labatt said. "We are absolutely thrilled this is happening."
Last month, the province announced it was expanding its community paramedicine pilot project from six communities to 73 across the province, including 19 on Vancouver Island.
Essentially, the program will create new full- and part-time positions where paramedics will spending their time between calls doing community health outreach with vulnerable citizens — ideally reducing the need for future ambulance callouts and allowing at-risk people to stay in their homes.
"They can be eyes and ears out and about. It's almost like when doctors did house calls. It would be a tremendous tool to help people stay in the small towns longer," said Cameron Eby, a member of the provincial executive for Ambulance Paramedics of BC CUPE Local 873.
In addition to potentially improving patient outcomes through the outreach program, community paramedicine also gives paramedics financial incentive to work in small communities
According to Mike Hicks, Capital Regional District director for the sprawling Juan de Fuca area of Vancouver Island's south coast, a lack of available bodies has put Port Renfrew in an emergency response crisis.
Many of the residents who would have traditionally worked the ambulance and the first-response fire/rescue team have been forced to take resource industry jobs out of town. Increased training requirements have worked as a disincentive for those who remain.
The bottom line, Hicks said, is that just one of Port Renfrew's fire/rescue first responders remains fully qualified, while four others have let their qualifications lapse. Meanwhile, its ambulance station has about 40 days on its summer schedule where no one is available to work.
With thousands of tourists hiking the local wilderness and driving the Pacific Marine Circle Route, Hicks has been frustrated the province hasn't done more to help.
"Our volunteer fire department is consistently going to the Juan de Fuca Trail hauling out people with broken legs and stuff," he said.
In smaller communities the ambulance is primarily staffed by part-time paramedics on an on-call basis.
Chelsea Kuzman became the chief of Port Renfrew's 10-member volunteer fire department in 2010, when she was 20 years old. She has augmented that position by working on the ambulance for the past two years.
She described Port Renfrew as a probationary location for paramedics. People straight off their training programs are assigned there and often leave for other communities before replacements become available.
"Because they are allowed to leave after six months we have such a rotation of people," she said.
Meanwhile, those few locals who might be interested in signing up find it difficult to justify the investment.
Eby, who is also the unit chief for the Courtenay ambulance station, said the situation has been fuelled by changes implemented in 2005.
"The way the (previous) model was built was to entice people who were employed in another area to be on call," he said. "Most of the education was brought to me, rather than me going to it."
The 2005 change required nine months training to become a primary care paramedic, at a cost of about $10,000 and no guarantee of work at the end. Part-time paramedics make $2 an hour on call, with regular wages kicking in during a call. The smaller the station, the less likely they are to get calls.
"People aren't willing to say 'I'm going to leave my job for nine months and not have full-time work to come back to,'" Eby said.
What community paramedicine does is guarantee hours. Eby anticipates it will be at least a half-shift a week, with the opportunity to supplement those hours with more on-call hours.
"The government is reluctant to put in a full-time crew in a place where they can get two calls a week," he said. "We haven't been able to recruit qualified paramedics. In community paramedicine they are creating regular work."
So far, he said, the program appears to be working: more than 300 people have applied for the first 32 positions.
Kuzman has no plans to apply at this point; operating a busy restaurant occupies most of her time. But she said the idea would have some appeal if that wasn't the case. More importantly, she sees how small communities will benefit from the outreach aspect of the program.
"My grandparents are both in their mid-eighties," she said. "They both could use it."
According to Eby, the community paramedic's duties will be tailored to the community he or she is working in.
"They will do a needs assessment of the community,"he said. "What is needed in Ucluelet may not be what is needed on Cortes Island."
Pilot projects have laid the groundwork that could see the program operating in Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Hardy and Cortes Island as early as this fall.
Other Vancouver Island communities tapped to implement the program some time next year include: Alert Bay, Denman Island (including Hornby), Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Port Alice, Port Renfrew, Port McNeill, Quadra Island, Sayward, Sointula, Tahsis, and Zeballos.
Corbett-Labatt said Port Hardy is developing its community paramedic's duties based on input from its doctors and other health professionals. She hopes that some of the people the program attracts to the north Island will decide to stay.
Kuzman said awareness of community paramedicine is something that has been slow to come to the citizens of Port Renfrew, but she thinks Renfrewites will grow to appreciate what it offers.
"We've never really had the luxury. (Lack of emergency support) is something that we've lived with."
According to Eby, community leaders across the province are embracing the idea with open arms.
"We launched this at the (Union of BC Municipalities conference) in 2013 and have had a huge, huge response," he said. "They said this is the first thing we've heard in a long time where we are bringing services back to small communities."
— with a file from Tom Fletcher
Follow me on Twitter @JohnMcKinleyBP


text:
NFP Mock Draft – Version 11.0
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Senior: While I am confident that the Chiefs are trying to trade down, that is impossible to predict and likely harder than in recent seasons as there is not one player that every team wants to select. Fisher is not the safe pick that Joeckel is, but with his athleticism and nasty/aggressive blocking style I think he will be better in the long term.
ICONUSC quarterback Matt Barkley makes a throw on the move.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC, Senior: The new Jaguars regime did not choose Blaine Gabbert, so they are willing to pull the plug and start anew. New GM David Caldwell learned under Bill Polian and Thomas Dimitroff that for a QB to excel in the NFL they must have rare football intelligence, work ethic and intangibles. Barkley may not have rare physical talents, but above the shoulders he is outstanding so he fits that criteria.
3. Oakland Raiders: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon, Senior: GM Reggie McKenzie worked in Green Bay for many years and learned the value a dominant pass rusher can have on a defense by watching Clay Matthews up close and personal. So despite many other needs, McKenzie drafts Jordan because he possesses dynamic pass rush skills that can upgrade the Raiders' pass rush and make their defense a big play unit.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Senior: For the Eagles new 34 defense to be successful they will need to find a strong and powerful nose tackle to anchor the middle of it and Lotulelei fits the bill perfectly. He can be the man in the middle of their 34 defense and brings the versatility to also line up at DT when they align in four man fronts.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Senior: With their two best pass rushers from 2012 gone, the Lions have a desperate need for an outside pass rusher. After coaching Ansah during the Senior Bowl, no team knows better how effective he can be when lined up as a wide pass rusher, which is why they choose him here.
6. Cleveland Browns: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, Senior: QB Brandon Weeden needs weapons to throw to if the Browns offense is going to make strides. With questions surrounding the health of Keenan Allen's knee after he ran poorly at his pro day and concerns about Cordarrelle Patterson, the Browns select the most explosive offensive weapon in the draft receiver Tavon Austin.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Junior: With QB Carson Palmer now in the fold as the Cardinals' starter, they must find a way to protect him. Joeckel is a top athlete with good technique and should be able to step in and start at left tackle from day one to stabilize the Cardinals' left tackle position.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse, Senior: It seems clear that Kevin Kolb was not guaranteed a starting job based on his contract, so the Bills are going to draft someone to challenge him. Some may question Nassib's worthiness of being a first round pick, but with coaches Marrone and Hackett familiarity and confidence in him, they will select him here to lead their franchise.
West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith goes through progressions looking for a receiver down the field.
9. New York Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, Senior: It has become apparent in recent seasons that Mark Sanchez does not have "it" to be a quality starting QB. Smith is the highest rated QB on the Jets draft board and if he is there when they pick, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger.
10. Tennessee Titans: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Junior: Even though DE Derrick Morgan began to show signs of developing into an elite player in 2012, the Titans still want to upgrade their edge pass rush ability. Werner is an under-rated athlete who constantly makes big plays rushing the passer and against the run and would be great lining up across from Morgan.
11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma, Senior: Although predicting the Chargers are going to select an OT seems too easy, I really believe it makes too much sense. Johnson's athleticism and length make him an elite prospect and if he can improve his hand-use and playing strength he could become a pro bowler.
12. Miami Dolphins: Cornell Carradine, DE, Florida State, Senior: As the Dolphins continue making the move to a 43 defense they must find a pass rusher who can play opposite Cameron Wake. Despite tearing his left ACL in November, Carradine is expected to be ready for the start of the 2013 season and should make a big impact opposite Wake.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, Junior: Gerald McCoy is in the verge of becoming a superstar, but the Buccaneers need someone next to him after losing Roy Miller in free agency and having Brian Price's injuries end his time in Tampa. Floyd is a strong and explosive interior force who would give the Bucs four excellent young defensive linemen for the future.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina, Senior: The Panthers desperately to improve their interior defensive line and Williams has the best combination of size, strength, explosiveness and athleticism after Star. He would be able to start immediately for them and would add a much needed play-making dimension to the Panthers defense.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU, Junior: As the Saints move to a 34 defense this season, they have to fill a number of spots. While they have young outside linebackers, Junior Galette and Martez Wilson, they are both unproven. Mingo immediately gives them one outside linebacker who can impact games with his pass rush ability off the corner.
US PRESSWIREAlabama guard Chance Warmack prepares to burst out of stance to make block.
16. St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama, Senior: With Jake Long manning the Rams' left tackle spot, they have upgraded their offensive line, but it is still not a good unit. Warmack would add a physical and athletic dimension to the interior of their offensive line that they desperately need.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Junior: The Steelers want to upgrade their defense and with the elite edge pass rushers gone, they decide to add talent to their secondary. Milliner would give them a young version of Ike Taylor; a strong and physical corner with better speed and athleticism than he gets credit for.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Kenny Vaccaro, SAF, Texas, Senior: Dallas has a lot of talent on its defense, but to patrol the back end of the secondary they could use some help. Similar to when they drafted Roy Williams in the first round years ago, the Cowboys grab an elite safety prospect in the hope that he can be their Ed Reed.
19. New York Giants: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri, Junior: With Osi Umenyiora now a Falcon and Justin Tuck not the same player he once was, the Giants pass rush needs a boost. With no premier defensive ends still on the board, the Giants grab Richardson whose explosiveness off the ball will enable him to be a very disruptive interior force/pass-rusher for the Giants.
20. Chicago Bears: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, Junior: After signing Jermon Bushrod to secure Jay Cutler's blindside, the Bears prove their commitment to upgrading their offensive line by selecting Fluker. He is a massive man with very good feet for such a big man and will be a rock at the RT spot for the Bears.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Johnthan Cyprien, SAF, Florida International, Senior: If the season began today, the Bengals would have Taylor Mays starting at one of their safety spots and that does not work in today's pass first NFL. Cyprien is a big hitter with top coverage ability and would be an excellent addition to the Bengals defense.
US PRESSWIRECalifornia receiver Keenan Allen goes up to make tough catch against UCLA.
22. St. Louis Rams (From Washington): Keenan Allen, WR, California, Junior: The Rams gambled correctly that after running a poor 40 at his pro day that Allen would slide down draft boards, which allows them to select the best big receiver in the draft. Despite his poor 40 times, I believe Allen has the playing speed to stretch the field and make big plays deep and can be a highly productive NFL receiver.
23. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson, Junior: After trading away Percy Harvin the Vikings have a huge need for a big play receiver and Hopkins fits the bill. With good size, playing strength and under-rated explosiveness and speed, Hopkins is a big play weapon that will turn many of Christian Ponder's short passes into big plays.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama, Senior: After signing a number of value free agents, the Colts team looks much better. However, for their 34 defense to become a stronger more physical unit they need big, athletic men on their defensive line and Williams has the talent to play NT and DE.
25. Minnesota Vikings (From Seattle): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State, Junior: Although the Vikings say they want Antoine Winfield back, that is not likely and even if he returns he is near the end of a great career. Rhodes has great size to go with excellent speed and a willingness to play physical in coverage, which makes him an ideal fit for the Vikings defense.
26. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame, Junior: Jermichael Finley has never become the premier offensive weapon that many expected early in his career, so they draft his eventual replacement. Eifert is a smoother athlete with better receiving skills and should give the Packers an impact receiving threat to complement their receivers.
27. Houston Texans: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia, Junior: While Ogletree no doubt has some character concerns; there is no denying he is an elite talent. Having Ogletree playing next to Cushing would give the Texans two of the most athletic inside linebackers in the NFL.
28. Denver Broncos: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA, Senior: Although Jones is much bigger than Elvis Dumervil, he can fill the defensive end spot on Denver's four man front that Dumervil did. When you look at Coach Fox's history of drafting/acquiring DE's; he drafted Charles Johnson and signed Julius Peppers, both of whom are bigger DE's along the lines of Datone Jones.
29. New England Patriots: Jon Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Junior: With only Vince Wilfork remaining from their formerly dominant defensive line, they grab the massive Hankins whose combination of size, strength and athleticism gives him great versatility, which is extremely valuable to the Patriots. Hankins would ideally start at DE in their 34 scheme and could spell Wilfork at NT for some snaps to keep him fresh.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Sanders Commings, CB, Georgia, Senior: The Falcons cut Dunta Robinson and did not re-sign Brent Grimes, so they definitely need help at cornerback. Commings has not received much hype in the media, but NFL sources tell us he is definitely a special talent with the tools to be a shut-down corner with good, hard coaching.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Corey Lemonier, OLB, Auburn, Junior: When Justin Smith was injured late in 2012 defenses were able to block Aldon Smith with surprising consistency. While they have Ahmad Brooks playing opposite Aldon Smith, Brooks is not an elite pass rusher and Lemonier brings the explosiveness and edge pass rush ability to be an upgrade over Brooks.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Junior: Although everyone expects the Ravens to draft an inside linebacker to fill the void left by Ray Lewis retiring and Dannell Ellerbe leaving, they also need help at receiver as they traded wide receiver Anquan Boldin. As Ozzie Newsome has shown numerous times, he is willing to gamble on players with issues in the Draft, so it is not a surprise that he selects Patterson as he has rare, number one receiver, game breaking talent and would give them two dynamic big play weapons for Flacco to throw to.
Email Russ at email@example.com and Follow Russ on Twitter @RUSSLANDE


text:
(Written by Geneva – gid617)
Finally, I have found all the LEGO NINJAGO September cards! As you probably know, two booster-packs and three spinner set were just released, so that is 25 cards! I will go through each of them, so read on. (You can click on images for a larger view to see the cards better.) 🙂
➡ NINJAGO CHARACTER & BATTLE CARDS FOR BYTAR: from #9556 LEGO NINJAGO Bytar Booster-Pack – BUY HERE
- Bytar Character Card – 300 Fire, 100 Lightning, 500 Earth, 200 Ice – 1100 SP total. (SP, or "Spinjitzu Power" refers to the bars – color coded for their elements – on the cards.)
- Ground Attack – Lay down card. Opponent discards all crown-cards if opponent touches it, then remove, 500 Earth SP. Comes with Bytar. This would be an excellent card except that all my normal opponents have become experts at avoiding such things! 😡
- Chain Strike – Build the above (pieces included in booster pack) on spinner until a player wins, 300 Fire SP. Comes with Bytar.
- Crown of Earth – Build or remove a crown on any spinner, 400 Earth SP. Comes with Bytar.
- Earth Bound – Opponent can only play earth-cards until a player wins, 400 Earth SP, Golden. Comes with Bytar. Not a very good card for its SP – Card Freeze (opponent may not play any cards) is only 200 Ice!
➡ NINJAGO CHARACTER & BATTLE CARDS FOR LIZARU: from #9557 LEGO NINJAGO Lizaru Booster-Pack – BUY HERE
- Lizaru Character Card – 100 Fire, 500 Lightning, 200 Earth, 300 Ice – 1100 SP total.
- Fair Fight – Both players discard all face-up crown cards. No other cards may be played during spin, 300 SP of each element. Comes with Lizaru. An excellent card, especially if you don't have any crown cards played!
- Poison Whips – Build the above (pieces included in booster pack) on spinner until a player wins, 100 Fire SP. Comes with Lizaru. Remarkably low SP compared to other of the same type of cards! And it looks like those green horns would really be effective!
- Spit Acid – Choose two cards at random from opponent's hand. Opponent discards one of them, 400 Lightning SP. Comes with Lizaru.
- Boost – Add SP 200 to all of your powers until a player wins. Immediately play another card, 300 Fire SP. Comes with Lizaru.
➡ NINJAGO CHARACTER & BATTLE CARDS FOR SLITHRAA: from #9573 LEGO NINJAGO Slithraa Spinner Set – BUY HERE
- Slithraa Character Card – 200 Fire, 100 Lightning, 300 Earth, 500 Ice – 1100 total.
- Gates of Ice – Set up the above (one card balanced on top of two vertical cards – how would you do that?). Each player spins three times. If you go through gate more times, reclaim weapon, 300 Ice SP. Comes with Slithraa. Again, I don't see how you could even balance cards like that. And if you could, it would be almost impossible to go through! 😯
- Spirit Guard – Keep face-up. Discard if crown is removed. Build one of the above (three different brick combinations) on spinner at the beginning of every spin, then remove, 400 Ice SP. Comes with Slithraa.
- Wrong Turn – Discard one card at random from opponent's hand, 100 Fire SP. Comes with Slithraa. I wonder how this would work if you had the crown-card that says, "Opponent must keep their cards face-up" in play? Would you still have to make it random?
- Even the Odds – Both players remove crown, 300 Earth SP, Golden. Comes with Slithraa. Too high SP. After all, who wants to lose their crown? But it could come in handy, I suppose. Especially if you could play it after you had already lost your crown…
➡ NINJAGO CHARACTER & BATTLE CARDS FOR NRG ZANE: from #9590 LEGO NINJAGO NRG Zane Spinner Set – BUY HERE
- NRG Zane Character Card – 0 Fire, 0 Lightning, 400 Earth, 500 Ice – 900 total. It's really a pity the NRG have such bad character cards!
- Crumble to Dust – Opponent discards a face-up crown card, 300 Earth SP. Comes with NRG Zane (thanks ZX DX Kendo Ninja for all of Zane's cards). Especially considering some of the great crown cards that are around now, this could very likely come in handy!
- Spin-o-Rama – Set up the above (turn your spinner over and remove your character's weapon). Each player spins once sideways, without weapons. If your character flies farther, reclaim one lost weapon, 200 Ice SP. Comes with NRG Zane. This one sounds fun, if nothing else. I'm not that good at spinning side ways though… who is? 🙄
- Diamond Coated – Keep face-up. Discard if crown is removed. Discard a crown-card to avoid losing after any spin, 500 Ice SP. Comes with NRG Zane. Great card, especially if you have some not-so-good crown-cards!
- Snowblind – Reduce opponent's ice power by 100 until a player wins, 200 Ice SP, Golden. Comes with NRG Zane.
➡ NINJAGO CHARACTER & BATTLE CARDS FOR LLOYD ZX: from #9574 LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd ZX Spinner Set – BUY HERE
- Lloyd ZX Character Card – 300 Fire, 300 Lightning, 300 Earth, 300 Ice – 1200 total.
- Roundhouse Kick – Set up the above (two cards next to each other). Each player spins twice. If you knock more cards down, reclaim lost weapon, 200 Earth SP. Comes with Lloyd ZX.
- Unique Power – Keep face-up. iscard if crown is removed. Add SP 100 to all four of your powers, 300 SP of each element. Comes with Lloyd ZX.
- Premonition – Keep face-up. Discard if crown is removed. Opponent reveals all cards every time you win, 300 SP of every element. Comes with Lloyd ZX.
- Opposition – If you have three face-up crown -ards, opponent loses all weapons – 400 SP of each element, Golden. Not only is this card basically an easy road to winning, it is the card with the most SP, ever. Even including character-cards, this one wins – besides being golden. Unless you had Boost though, it would be difficult to play it if you weren't Lloyd (or some other 1200 SP character)!
For more details on each of the the new NINJAGO spinner sets you can check out the Online LEGO Shop, or check at your local retailers.
So how do you like the new Spinjitzu cards? Have you got some already? Which one is your favorite? Or are you not so interested in these? Feel free to share your comments and questions below! 😉
For more NINJAGO news and discussions, head over to the LEGO Ninjago section, or check out some of these related posts:


text:
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Thursday, 29 November 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Reuters: Early success for the iPhone 5 smartphone has helped Apple to overtake Google's Android software in the United States, research firm Kantar WorldPanel said on Tuesday. Apple's US share of smartphone sales in the 12 weeks to 31 October more than doubled from a year ago to 48.1%, putting it within reach of the record 49.3% it managed in early 2012.
Android's share dropped to 46.7% from 63.3%, Kantar WorldPanel's data showed, but it continues to dominate in key European markets. The platform claimed 74% market share in Germany and 82% in Spain.
Android's combined share of the top five European markets rose to 64%, from 51% a year earlier, while Apple's share edged up by one%age point to 21%.Research In Motion Ltd. saw its share fall in all but one of the surveyed markets, sliding to 1.6% from 8.5% in the United States, and to 2.7% from 8.7% in Brazil. In Germany, the BlackBerry maker's share rose 0.9% points to 2.5%.
RIM's stock fell 5.9% to C$ 11.20 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. But the shares, which soared last week on rising optimism around RIM's soon-to-be-launched BlackBerry 10 devices, were still up more than 15% from last Monday's close.


text:
Tips From Professionals On How To Best Use Solar Energy
Solar energy is extremely beneficial to the most planet-friendly options of all of the energy sources available. This energy source that is here to stay. You need to understand if solar energy will be a financial mistake or not. The article that follows is going to guide you determine just that. Your solar panels will keep functioning as long as you maintain it regularly. You can save money by doing this yourself, but doing it yourself will save money. Using a water heater that runs on solar energy unit can help the environment significantly. You can find solar heated water.You can install one in a location with full sun. Do not think that using solar energy requires you to completely tear off the roof.You can start small by installing solar energy. You need to find a reliable way to store your energy after you get it made by your solar energy system you're using. A quality battery is something that stores a lot of power for a long time or selling energy produced to utility compani


text:
September 10, 2012
Tobacco acreage is holding its own in North Carolina, as are sweet potatoes and vegetable and fruit crops.
The labor needed to harvest these crops is not keeping pace and the problem is likely to get worse, unless changes are made in temporary worker program and politics.
Agriculture is the biggest cog in North Carolina's economic machine, doubling the dollar value of its two closest rivals: Military and tourism. To continue building on the $74 billion industry, agriculture leaders contend a viable labor supply is a must.
Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler says the diversity in North Carolina's agricultural crops is a blessing, but can be a curse when adequate labor is not available to harvest crops. "No grower is going to plant a crop without some assurance that he or she will have labor to harvest it," Troxler says
Without question, the state's nine percent unemployment rate should insure an adequate supply of labor, but it doesn't. The problem is not endemic to North Carolina, states across the Southeast face similar labor shortages.
Fortunately, North Carolina did not pass the same ultra-restrictive labor laws that their neighbors to the south passed. Despite more liberal laws, the politics of labor are still restrictive, time consuming and expensive.
"North Carolina has a strong guest worker visa program, and its immigration laws are not as strict as some nearby states. The farm labor shortage is affecting each state differently, says Kristi Boswell, labor and immigration congressional relations director for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington.
Boswell has some ominous concern for growers in the Southeast, "If they don't feel it (labor shortage) yet, the likelihood of them feeling it soon is probably high," she says.
So far, North Carolina's farmers say they aren't experiencing a significant shortage. But harvest season has yet to peak in the state, so it's difficult to tell whether the state will experience a lack of labor, says Larry Wooten, president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau.
North Carolina relies on about 90,000 migrant farm workers, says Lee Wicker, deputy director of the North Carolina Growers Association. Wicker, who farms tobacco in Lee County, N.C., estimates that about 60,000 of those workers are in the country illegally. Prior to hiring workers through the Federal H-2A program, the North Carolina Growers Association must first advertise its farm jobs to Americans.
Don't count on local labor
Last year the agency posted more than 7,500 jobs, yet only 350 Americans applied. Though virtually all the American applicants were accepted for jobs, virtually all of them quit before their contract expired.
While there is some hard work, and in adverse weather conditions, farm laborers are treated well and paid well — often much more than minimum wage. The concept most urban residents have of farm labor is much different than the reality of these jobs.
Picking peaches, for example, in the Ridge area of South Carolina is definitely hard labor, but it's typically done in the morning and in areas shaded by the peach trees.
Typically, workers go from picking peaches in an orchard to sorting and packing peaches in an air-conditioned, ultra clean packing house.
Mexico has long been the primary supplier of farm labor, and more recently, of labor in construction and other industries. The recent economic slowdown in the U.S. has funneled more workers back into agriculture, but the number of Mexican laborers available for all jobs in the U.S. is going down.
A recent report from the Pew Hispanic Center says the number of people immigrating to the United States from Mexico is now almost equal to those immigrating to Mexico from the United States.
The study explains the slowdown is possibly a result of a crackdown on illegal immigration in the United States, increased violence along the border and a growing job market in Mexico.
Blake Brown, a professor and Extension economist at North Carolina State University points out that an upturn in the United States' economy could further draw migrant laborers away from farm work and toward other job sectors with better working conditions and higher wages, such as construction,
The U.S. Farm Bureau Federation estimates that 50-70 percent of all immigrant labor in the U.S. is in the country illegally. Any injustices that occur almost always occur among the illegal laborers.
New, harsh illegal alien laws in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have significantly disrupted long-standing pathways of illegal labor that migrated south to north to harvest farm crops.
The alternative to illegal labor is the Federal H-2A program.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is administered by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) of the Employment Training Administration (ETA).
The INA covers agricultural employers seeking to hire temporary agricultural workers under H-2A visas.
The work to be performed must be "of a temporary (or seasonal) nature," meaning employment that is performed at certain seasons of the year, usually in relation to the production and/or harvesting of a crop, or for a limited time period of less than one year.
The farmer must clearly demonstrate that the need for the foreign workers is truly temporary.
Working on Vick farm
Vick Family Farms in Wilson, N.C., is a long-time user of H-2A labor. They farm tobacco and sweet potatoes, both of which are highly labor intensive. Though there are always concerns from one crew of workers to another, for the most part Lyn Vick says the H-2A program has worked on their farm.
The Vick family, including Dianne and Jerome Vick and son and daughter Lyn and Charlotte Vick, all work in the farming operation.
Each member of the Vick family speaks Spanish. Simply speaking the language has made working relationships much better and reduces communication problems that are often the source of many employer/H-2A laborer problems.
"My Spanish isn't always perfect, but I can communicate well enough for workers to understand what I want them to do, and I can usually answer any questions they have in a way they can understand," Lyn Vick says.
The H-2A program is expensive and the chance of being sued under the conditions of the work visas is high. Despite the cost and risks involved with using H-2A labor, for most growers in labor intensive crops, like sweet potatoes, vegetables and tobacco, it is a much lower risk than planting a crop without the certainty of having labor available to pick it.
The cost of the program to farmers extends far beyond the guaranteed work hours and pay at $9.70 per hour that is required for H2-A laborers. The average cost of getting a farm worker to the farm is about $1,000 per worker.
Host farmers must also provide housing, on-farm transportation, workers compensation insurance, and a number of other provisions called for in the H-2A visas.
"There's one thing that's more expensive than the H-2A program, and that's having a beautiful crop ready to harvest and no one to pick it," Wicker says.
In 2011, North Carolina adopted a mandatory E-Verify system to be phased in by July 2013, requiring all business owners to confirm the legal status of their workers through the electronic program.
On Oct. 1, 2012, the law takes effect for employers that employ 500 or more employees. On Jan. 1, 2013, the law takes effect for employers that employ 100 or more employees. On July 1, 2013, the law takes effect for employers that employ 25 or more employees.
An employer covered by the Act will be required to enter a new-hire's information reported on the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, into the E-Verify system to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States.
An employer must retain the records of the verification of the employee's work authorization during the length of that employee's employment and for one year after the end of the employment period.
"The key to ensuring a legal and reliable agriculture labor supply nationwide is to enact policy that makes the H-2A program more user-friendly or to create additional facilitator organizations like the growers association," says North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like


text:
Call them Twit-le dee and tweet-le dumb.
Compulsive tweeters Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher took to Twitter to flirt about bedroom behavior over the weekend.
The couple, who was in the same house, began their conversation by snapping photos of message scrawled on their hands and posting them on their respective Twitter pages.
The pair exchanged missives about dinner plans ("Fried rice. Lo Mein? No msg promise") but it quickly dissolved into pillow talk.
"Race you to the bedroom," Demi's hand read in a picture she posted on Twitter.
"4 Sure," Ashton tweeted back.


text: WhatsApp has revealed a vulnerability in its system that could have allowed hackers access to its users' phones, with a London-based human rights lawyer possibly among the targets. The encrypted messaging service, owned by Facebook (FB), said Monday that it had discovered and fixed the vulnerability the attackers had sought to exploit. The hackers could implant malicious code on a victim's phone by placing a voice call to the victim on WhatsApp — victims may not even have needed to answer the call for their phone to be infected, an expert told CNN Business. "The attack has all the hallmarks of a private company reportedly that works with governments to deliver spyware that takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement. While WhatsApp did not name the private company, a source familiar with the investigation into the attack said that company is NSO Group, an Israeli cyber company that has developed a powerful piece of malware designed to spy on its victims. In a statement provided to CNN on Monday, NSO said, "Under no circumstances would NSO be involved in the operating or identifying of targets of its technology, which is solely operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies." NSO said its technology was licensed to government agencies "for the sole purpose of fighting crime and terror," adding that those agencies determine how the technology is used without any involvement from the company. The Financial Times first reported details of the vulnerability. Human rights activists targeted Among those believed to have been targeted via WhatsApp is a London-based human rights lawyer, who is advising on a case against NSO. NSO has denied targeting the lawyer. On Sunday, the lawyer received two calls that John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab believes were part of the attack. Citizen Lab is an academic security research group that investigates digital threats to civil society groups and online freedom of expression. The apparent attempt to breach the lawyer's phone was not successful, Scott-Railton said, as WhatsApp had patched the vulnerability by Sunday. Speaking to CNN Business on Tuesday the lawyer, who does not want to be named, said that in March they began receiving suspicious calls on WhatsApp from Swedish and other European phone numbers. WhatsApp had reached out to Citizen Lab and a number of other groups that work with human rights defenders before publicly acknowledging the attack. The collaboration between WhatsApp and Citizen Lab helped identify the attempted attack on the London-based lawyer. Responding specifically to the apparent targeting of the lawyer, NSO Group said in a statement, "NSO would not or could not use its technology in its own right to target any person or organization, including this individual." "This is a vulnerability that would have enabled attackers to take over a phone with a missed call," Scott-Railton said. In another development before the attack was revealed, Amnesty International announced it would file a petition at the district court of Tel Aviv on Tuesday demanding Israel withdraw NSO's export license, Amnesty's lawyer told CNN Business. The group claims that NSO software "threatens the rights to privacy and to freedom of opinion and expression, in breach of Israel's obligations under international human rights law." It said one of its researchers had been targeted via a WhatsApp message containing NSO's spying software in 2018 while working on a campaign to release six women's rights activists detained in Saudi Arabia. How to update your WhatsApp WhatsApp said while it has fixed the vulnerability the attackers were exploiting, it is also encouraging users to update to the latest version of the WhatsApp app "out of an abundance of caution." The company said it has also contacted US law enforcement. On Monday night, the Democratic National Committee advised 2020 Democratic presidential campaign staff who use WhatsApp to update their apps to the most recent version of the service, a source familiar with the warning told CNN Business. Ireland's Data Protection Commission, which supervises Facebook's activities in Europe, said it had been informed of the vulnerability on Monday, adding it was unclear at this stage whether any EU user data had been affected. Still, it too urged users to ensure the update WhatsApp on their devices. Here's how: On an iPhone – Open the App Store and select updates. – Select "WhatsApp" and Update. On an Android device – Open the Play Store and tap on the 3 lines in the upper left corner. – Select "My apps & games" from the menu. – Select "WhatsApp" and select Update.